Pests, trash and mold found in hotel

Pests, dirty mattresses and no hot water were just a handful of complaints from guests of Covington Lodge, an extended stay hotel located at 9161 City Pond Rd in Covington.

Documents from fire and health inspection reports confirmed patron complaints and revealed multiple health and safety violations. Findings included trash stored in and around the property, pest issues and unclean mattresses and laundry, among others.

According to Fire Marshall Tony Smith of the Covington Fire Department, two separate complaints were lodged against the hotel to authorities.

“These were not yearly inspections,” Smith said of the last two visits.

According to Smith, life safety was the first complaint two weeks ago. The health department then conducted its first visit.

Smith said he was not called in to intervene until the second complaint was filed due to safety hazards, building features and insects.

According to the June 3 fire inspection findings, several rooms contained black mold, half of the rooms had pest control issues, and trash and debris was stored in vacant rooms.

Newton County health department inspection records showed two of the violations from within the last year.

According to a Dec. 23, 2013 routine health inspection report, toilet facilities were not well ventilated and lighted and furnishings were not in good repair. One of the comments in the report said “ensure housecleaners are checking appliances.”

According to a March 27, 2014 health report in response to a complaint, hot and cold running water under pressure was not provided in all locations in the hotel, toilets were not accessible to all patrons and the premises were not free of pests and rodents.

Owner Bushan Khana — who Smith said is very rarely on the property — could not be reached by press time to comment.Smith said the hotel has an additional 1-2 weeks before re-inspection from the date of June 3, 2014.